Rubber Strip Mounting Device for a Chair

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a rubber strip mounting device for a chair, including a rubber strip, a chair frame and at least two first mounting elements. The rubber strip has a cross section with a dovetail-shape. A groove is provided on an outer surface of the chair frame. At least two first mounting holes are formed on the chair frame such that they penetrate from the outer surface to an inner surface thereof. The rubber strip is disposed inside the groove. The at least two first mounting holes are respectively located in proximity to two ends of the groove and are in spatial communication with the groove. The at least two first mounting elements are configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting holes so as to fix the rubber strip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a rubber strip mounting device for a chair.

2. The Prior Arts

Foldable chairs are a type of chair that can be folded for storage. When a foldable chair is not in use, it can be folded to decrease its footprint so as to facilitate easy storage and transportation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional foldable chair, and FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a rubber strip and a front chair frame. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional foldable chair comprises a front chair frame 70, a seat cushion 71, a rear chair frame 72 and a rubber strip 73. Two sides of the front chair frame 70 is pivotally connected to the rear chair frame 72, and the seat cushion 71 is pivotally connected to two ends of the rear chair frame 72. Through the pivotal connection between the front chair frame 70 and the rear chair frame 72 and the pivotal connection between the seat cushion 71 and the rear chair frame 72, the foldable chair and the cushion 71 is rotatable and foldable to facilitate easier storage.

Herein, a groove 74 is provided on an outer side of the front chair frame 70 of the conventional foldable chair. A cross section of the groove 74 has a tapered shape, and two sides of the cross section thereof are concaved inwardly to form an arced shape. The rubber strip 73 has an outer contour that corresponds to the inner contour of the groove 74, so the rubber strip 73 may be mounted into the groove 74 by simple engagement between the two.

Nevertheless, such a connection may be easily disengaged. The rubber strip 73 may be damaged or pulled out, thus leaving the groove 74 of the front chair frame 70 exposed. Further, when the groove 74 is exposed, especially in situations that the foldable chairs are left in outdoor environment, water may accumulate easily in the groove 74. Consequently, oxidation may occur and the chair may become rusty.

In order to prevent the rubber strip 73 from being damaged, tape or glue may be applied to further enhance the connection after the rubber strip 73 is mounted into the groove 74. However, when the foldable chairs are used in outdoor environment, two ends of the rubber strip 73 may become warped up and are easily damaged due to sub and rain exposure. Hence, there is a need in the industry to improve the structure thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Due to the foregoing reasons, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rubber strip mounting device for a chair, so a rubber strip may be mounted to a chair and does not fall off easily.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a rubber strip mounting device for a chair that prevents the two ends of a rubber strip from warped up and damaged.

For achieving the foregoing objectives, the present invention provides a chair rubber strip mounting device, comprising a rubber strip, a chair frame and at least two first mounting elements.

The rubber strip has a cross section with dovetail-shape. Two sides of the cross section are concaved inwardly, and a bottom side of the cross section is concaved upwardly.

A groove is provided on an outer surface of the chair frame. At least two first mounting holes are formed on the chair frame such that they penetrate from the outer surface to an inner surface thereof. An inner contour of the groove is formed in such a way that it corresponds to an outer contour of the rubber strip. The rubber strip is disposed inside the groove. The at least two first mounting holes are respectively located in proximity to two ends of the groove and are in spatial communication with the groove.

The at least two first mounting elements are configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting holes so as to fix the rubber strip.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side and a second straight side. Two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side. The groove is configured to extend from an end of the arced side to another end of the arced side along the outer side surface thereof. Herein, the first mounting elements are self-tapping screws.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side and a second straight side. Two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side. The groove is configured to extend from a bottom end of the first straight side to a bottom end of the second straight side along the outer surface of the first straight side, the arced side and the second straight side, sequentially. Herein, the at least two first mounting elements are self-tapping screws.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side, a second straight side and a plurality of second mounting holes. Two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side. The second mounting holes are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame from the inner surface to the outer surface and are in spatial communication with the groove. The second mounting holes are separately formed on the arced side. Herein, the chair rubber strip mounting device further comprises a plurality of second mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting hole so as to fix the rubber strip.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side, a second straight side and a plurality of second mounting holes. Two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side. The second mounting holes are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame from the inner surface to the outer surface and are in spatial communication with the groove. The second mounting holes are separately formed on the first straight side and the second straight side. Herein, the chair rubber strip mounting device further comprises a plurality of second mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting hole so as to fix the rubber strip. Herein, the first mounting elements and the second mounting elements are self-tapping screws.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side, a second straight side and a plurality of second mounting holes. Two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side. The second mounting holes are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame from the inner surface to the outer surface and are in spatial communication with the groove. The second mounting holes are separately formed on the arced side, the first straight side and the second straight side. Herein, the chair rubber strip mounting device further comprises a plurality of second mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting hole so as to fix the rubber strip. Herein, the at least two first mounting elements and the second mounting elements are self-tapping screws.

By mounting the first mounting elements through the first mounting holes that are in spatial communication with the groove, the chair rubber strip mounting device of the present invention is able to achieve the goal of mounting a rubber strip to a chair in a way that it does not fall off easily.

Further, by mounting the first mounting elements through the first mounting hole, which are respectively arranged near the two ends of the groove, the two ends of the rubber strip does not warp up or damage easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a conventional foldable chair;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a rubber strip and a front chair frame of the conventional foldable chair;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a front chair frame of the foldable chair according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded views illustrating a rubber strip and the front chair frame of the foldable chair according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the rubber strip and the front chair frame of the foldable chair according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The chair rubber strip mounting device of the present invention includes: a rubber strip 10, a chair frame 20 and at least two first mounting device 30. Detailed description of each components will be described in the following paragraphs.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are the perspective view, cross-sectional side view and exploded view illustrating the rubber strip and the front chair frame of the foldable chair according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, in the embodiments of the present invention, a cross section of the rubber strip 10 has a dovetail shape. A first arced surface 11 and a second arced surface 12 are provided on two sides of the rubber strip and are concaved inwardly. A third arced surface 13 are formed on a bottom of the rubber strip 10 and is concaved upwardly.

The chair frame 20 includes an arced side 24, a first straight side 25 and a second straight side 26. Two ends of the arced side 24 are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side 25 and an end of the second straight side 26. In the embodiments of the present invention, a groove 21 is formed on an outer surface of the chair frame 20. The groove 21 extends from an end of the arced side 24 of the chair frame to another end of the arced side 24 along the outer surface thereof. Herein, the inner contour of the groove is formed such that it corresponds to the outer contour of the rubber strip 10, so the rubber strip 10 can be embedded into the groove 21.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating the rubber strip and the front chair frame of the foldable according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in the embodiments of the present invention, at least two first mounting holes 22 are provided in the groove 21. Particularly, the at least two first mounting holes 22 are respectively arranged near two ends of the groove 21. The first mounting holes 22 are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame 20 from the inner side surface to the outer surface and are formed such that they are in spatial communication with the groove 21.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the rubber strip 10 is disposed inside the groove 21. In addition, the total length of the rubber strip 10 is equal to the total length of the groove 21 of the front chair frame.

When assembling the rubber strip with the chair frame 20, the rubber strip 10 can be embedded into the groove 21 of the chair frame 20 by simply engaging the two. Nevertheless, in order to provide a more reliably connection between the rubber strip 10 and the groove 21, glue (not shown) may be applied to the third arced surface 13 of the rubber strip 10 before inserting the first arced surface 11 and the second arced surface 12 of the rubber strip 10 into the groove 21. Subsequently, the third arced surface 13 to which glue was applied will be in close contact with the surface of the groove, thereby achieving reliable engagement between the two components.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the rubber strip 10 and the front chair frame of the foldable chair according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, by respectively mounting the at least two first mounting elements 30 through the at least two first mounting holes 22 near the two ends of the groove 21, the rubber strip 10 is fixed. In such a way, the present invention may achieve the goal of preventing two ends of the rubber strip 10 from warping up by fixing two ends of the rubber strip 10. Not only the risk of the rubber strip being damaged is reduced, the rubber strip also does not fall off easily.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the at least two first mounting elements 30 are self-tapping screws. With the self-tapping screws, the effort of tapping the rubber strip 10 may be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the groove 21 extends from a bottom end of the first straight side 25 to a bottom end of the second straight side 26 along the outer side surface of the first straight side 25, the arced side 24 and the second straight side 26, sequentially. As such, the surface of the rubber strip on the chair frame 20 may be increased, and the overall aesthetic appearance may also be enhanced.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the chair frame 20 further comprises a plurality of second mounting holes 23. The second mounting holes 23 are formed such that they penetrate from the inner surface to the outer surface through the chair frame 20, and are formed such that they are in spatial communication with the groove 21. The second mounting holes 23 are arranged on two ends of the arced side 24 separately. The chair rubber strip mounting device further includes a plurality of second mounting elements 40. The second mounting elements are respectively mounted through the second mounting holes to fix the rubber strip 10. As such, the third embodiment of the present invention provides a stronger connection at the arced side 24 of the rubber strip 10 with the combination of the second mounting elements 40 and the second mounting holes 23.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair and its seat cushion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the third embodiment in that the second mounting holes 23, which penetrates from the inner side surface to the outer side surface of the chair frame 20 and are in spatial communication with the groove 21, are separately arranged on the first straight side 25 and the second straight side 26. The second mounting elements 40 are respectively mounted through the second mounting holes 23 to fix the rubber strip 10. As such, the fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a stronger connection at the first straight side 25 and the second straight side 26 of the rubber strip 10 with the combination of the second mounting elements 40 and the second mounting holes 23.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a foldable chair with its seat cushion according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the fifth embodiment of the present invention differs from the third embodiment in that the second mounting holes 23, which penetrates from the inner side surface to the outer side surface of the chair frame 20 and are in spatial communication with the groove 21, are separately arranged on the arced side 24, the first straight side 25 and the second straight side 26. The second mounting elements 40 are respectively mounted through the second mounting holes 23 to fix the rubber strip 10. As such, the fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a stronger connection at the arced side 24, the first straight side 25 and the second straight side 26 of the rubber strip 10 with the combination of the second mounting elements 40 and the second mounting holes 23.

It is worth mentioning that the second mounting elements are self-tapping screws. With the self-tapping screws, the effort of tapping the rubber strip 10 may be omitted.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rubber strip mounting device for a chair, comprising: a rubber strip having a cross section with dovetail-shape, wherein two sides of the cross section are concaved inwardly, and a bottom side of the cross section is concaved upwardly; a chair frame, wherein a groove is provided on an outer surface of the chair frame, at least two first mounting holes are formed on the chair frame such that they penetrate from the outer surface to an inner surface thereof, an inner contour of the groove corresponds to an outer contour of the rubber strip, the rubber strip is disposed inside the groove, the at least two first mounting holes are respectively located in proximity to two ends of the groove and are in spatial communication with the groove; and at least two first mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting holes so as to fix the rubber strip.
 2. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side and a second straight side, two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side, the groove is configured to extend from an end of the arced side to another end of the arced side along the outer side surface thereof.
 3. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side and a second straight side, two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side, the groove is configured to extend from a bottom end of the first straight side to a bottom end of the second straight side along the outer surface of the first straight side, the arced side and the second straight side, sequentially.
 4. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two first mounting elements are self-tapping screws.
 5. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side, a second straight side and a plurality of second mounting holes, two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side, the second mounting holes are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame from the inner surface to the outer surface and are in spatial communication with the groove, the second mounting holes are separately formed on the arced side; wherein the chair rubber strip mounting device further comprises a plurality of second mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting hole so as to fix the rubber strip.
 6. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side, a second straight side and a plurality of second mounting holes, two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side, the second mounting holes are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame from the inner surface to the outer surface and are in spatial communication with the groove, the second mounting holes are separately formed on the first straight side and the second straight side; wherein the chair rubber strip mounting device further comprises a plurality of second mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting hole so as to fix the rubber strip.
 7. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the chair frame further comprises an arced side, a first straight side, a second straight side and a plurality of second mounting holes, two ends of the arced side are respectively connected to an end of the first straight side and an end of the second straight side, the second mounting holes are formed such that they penetrate through the chair frame from the inner surface to the outer surface and are in spatial communication with the groove, the second mounting holes are separately formed on the arced side, the first straight side and the second straight side; wherein the chair rubber strip mounting device further comprises a plurality of second mounting elements configured to respectively mount through the at least two first mounting hole so as to fix the rubber strip.
 8. The rubber strip mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the at least two first mounting elements and the second mounting elements are self-tapping screws. 